Milei settles Argentina's US$15-million UN debt

Argentina has settled US$15.6 million in outstanding contributions to the United Nations, bringing its account up to date at a time when President Javier Milei's government is lobbying for experienced diplomat Rafael Grossi to become the organisation's next secretary-general.

According to UN records, a payment of US$15,589,175 from Argentina was received on June 22, making the nation one of 61 member states that have fully paid their annual contributions this year. 

The payment marks a shift in tone from Milei's administration, which has frequently criticised the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. Since taking office in December 2023, President Milei has accused the UN of promoting what he describes as a global "socialist agenda," while Argentine officials have called for leaner and more accountable international institutions.

The move comes as Buenos Aires steps up its campaigning on behalf of Grossi, the respected head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who is seeking to succeed António Guterres when the Portuguese diplomat's second term expires on December 31.

Argentina formally nominated Grossi for the post last year and has established a unit in the Foreign Ministry to coordinate support for the candidacy among UN member states and the UN Security Council's five permanent members, who hold crucial sway over the decision.

Foreign Secretary Pablo Quirno reiterated Argentina's backing for Grossi during a visit to Panama this week, describing him as the candidate best placed to promote a more efficient and results-oriented form of multilateralism.

Grossi has himself argued that the UN requires significant reform. In recent interviews, he has called for a "leaner" organisation and said member states are increasingly unwilling to finance what he sees as bureaucratic duplication within the UN system.

The race to lead the United Nations formally began in late 2025 and will enter a decisive phase later this year. Candidates have already presented their platforms in public hearings at UN headquarters, after which the 15-member Security Council will begin a series of private consultations and straw polls. Any successful candidate must secure at least nine votes in the council and avoid a veto from any of its five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. The council then recommends a single candidate to the 193-member General Assembly for appointment. 

The new secretary-general will take office on January 1, 2027, for a five-year term.

Grossi is one of the leading contenders in a field that also includes former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, former Costa Rican vice-president Rebeca Grynspan and former Senegalese president Macky Sall. 

The payment was made while Quirno was in the United States for a series of meetings, including participation in the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation, where Argentina renews its sovereignty claim each year over the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.

– TIMES/NA